A viral video of employees from a Santa Monica pottery store dumping a colorful liquid into a storm drain has led to public outcry and an apology from the store. The incident, caught on camera by local resident Cisco Quintana and uploaded on social media, shows two Color Me Mine employees pouring the substance down a Main Street drain, right above a warning that reads, “No dumping. This drains to ocean.” The video swiftly sparked a nationwide backlash.
According to a statement released on Instagram by Color Me Mine, located at 2525 Main Street, the liquid was a "non toxic, water based, and soluble" glaze. The store expressed regret for the incident, stating, "We at Color Me Mine want to give our deepest apologies and take accountability for our employees' actions," as obtained by CBS News Los Angeles. This does not absolve them, the store added, noting initiatives have begun to rectify the situation, including contacting city officials to cover fines and cleanup costs.
Misgivings among locals were evident, with one of them capturing the video in question, where the storm drains feed directly into the ocean, negatively impacting the marine ecosystem. In response to the uproar, Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock was swift in his response. "I immediately forwarded it to our city administration for action. ... We're desperately trying to get our storm drains, everything, to make sure that our water is clean enough for people to swim in, for fish to live in — this doesn't help," Brock conveyed in comments to CBS News Los Angeles.
According to reports from KTLA, the store confirmed that the employees involved were reprimanded and all staff members have since been trained on correct disposal practices. Yet, fallout from the video has extended beyond environmental concerns alone. Individuals in the clip have faced serious repercussions, with the store indicating receipt of threats, some of violence and even death.
KTLA also reported the ceramics studio’s own acknowledgment of error, stating they are "ashamed that such a huge mistake…caused by one of [their] own” just feet from their store. Color Me Mine’s community standing, hitherto notable for its craft and customer experience, is now at stake, as the studio looks to mend ties with the public and reaffirm its commitment to environmental stewardship.
